Henry Goes Very Low in Vegas

At a golf course known for yielding low scores, J.J. Henry did just that in the opening round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The $6 million event began Thursday at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.

Starting play on the 10th tee, the 38-year-old Henry, a two-time Tour winner whose last victory came last year in the Reno-Tahoe Open, carded four birdies on his front nine to make the turn in 4-under 32.

On the home half, however, Henry really got warmed up, posting five birdies and closing with an eagle on the par-5 ninth for a 7-under 28 and a first-round score of 11-under 60. The eagle came when he sank a 50-foot putt.

Henry's mark established a new course record at TPC Sutherlin.

"It was one of those days," Henry told PGATour.com. "There wasn't much wind and the greens were pretty soft. It was nice to make that putt on the last hole to make lunch taste that much better."

Henry's score was one better than the 61 shot in 2012 by eventual winner Ryan Moore. "Any time you start with the round I had, it gives you a lot of confidence for the rest of the week," Henry said.

Henry's record-setting number didn't put him that far apart from the field, however, as Andres Romero came in with a career-low 61. The Argentine's card listed six birdies and two eagles, with the latter coming on the ninth and the par-4 15th.

"I thought I was finishing as the leader, but Henry had one more birdie," Romero said through an interpreter in a televised interview.

Two behind Henry are Jeff Overton, James Driscoll and Jonathan Byrd. Byrd won the tournament in 2010.

Other scores included a 69 by Moore. The winner in last week's Frys.com Open, Jimmy Walker, opened with an even-par 71.